The City of Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) fully launched a new, real-time media feed as of January 1, 2014. The feed provides media partners with access to information about emergency incidents as they occur in real-time. BOEC relies on media partners to assist in disseminating information to the public. The feed automates this relay of information, ensuring that the Bureau focuses its resources on its core mission of responding to 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls and dispatching appropriately.

In 2013 alone, BOEC received over 12,000 calls to its media line, or an average of more than 1,000 calls per month. Before the real-time feed was launched, media calls were handled by BOEC supervisors, which diverted supervisors from their primary responsibility of managing the call center floor and answering overflow 9-1-1 calls. (And with an average 1,000 calls per month, it was not a trivial amount of diversion.)

“I applaud BOEC for its innovative approach to improving the efficiency of our emergency call center,” said Commissioner Steve Novick. “The live media feed is an example of the kind of win-win solution that meets the needs of both the City and our community partners.”

BOEC developed the live media feed in collaboration with its partner agencies and members of the media. The online feed allows subscribers to log on to the City’s website to view a map and an active listing of police, fire, and EMS calls. The feed includes standard information authorized for release by the Bureau’s partner fire, police, and ambulance agencies. Media requests for more detailed information will still need to be directed to the investigating agency. The monthly cost for a subscription is $50, which allows the Bureau to recover the cost of developing the program. Any member of the media who is interested in subscribing should e-mail BOECPIO@portlandoregon.gov and request an account.